Skip to main content

Negotiations

2020-2021 Pay Options Form

2020-2021 Pay Options Form:  PDF iconpay_option_form_2020_fillable.pdf

2019-2020 Negotiations

Please be advised that the outcome of the ratification votes on the tentative agreements by the bargaining units is as follows:
 

     Paraprofessional Bargaining Unit:      Yes
 

 

     Teacher Bargaining Unit:                      Yes 


Notice

of

Teacher and Paraprofessional Ratification Voting

on

Tentative Agreements 2019-2020


Voting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019

and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019.

 

*****

The ratification votes will take place by electronic ballot.


*****

Voting instructions will be sent by email to each member of the teacher and paraprofessional bargaining units.  The tentative agreements will be posted at your school and on the MEA website, www.manateeea.org.


In addition, teachers and paraprofessionals were sent all of the tentative agreements on the respective contracts electronically. They are also posted below.
 

If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 747-5091 or via email at association@manateeschools.net.

PDF iconfinal_teacher_tentative_agreements_20192020_110419.pdf

PDF iconfinal_para_tentative_agreements_20192020_110419.pdf


November 5, 2019 - On Monday, November 4th the Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County reached a tentative agreement on the terms for the 2019-2020 contract for teachers and paraprofessionals. The tentative agreements will be presented to teachers and paraprofessionals as well as the School Board for ratification before going into effect.

Highlights of the teachers’ tentative agreement include for the Performance schedule for all eligible teachers a 4 level advancement on the salary schedule for those who received a rating of Highly Effective. A 3 level advancement for those on the Performance schedule who received an Effective rating. Teachers on the Grandfathered schedule will also advance 4 levels on the schedule. There will also be a Cost Of Living Adjustment of $100 added to each level of the salary schedules for all teachers. Teachers who have completed 16 or 25 years with the district will receive a longevity supplement.

The highlights for the paraprofessional agreement include a movement of 2 steps on the salary schedule for all eligible paraprofessionals. Those paras who have reached the top of the salary schedule will receive a percent equal to 2 steps.

Both agreements include no increase in cost of the health insurance premium or changes to the benefits.

MEA President Pat Barber said “Reaching this agreement was made more difficult due to the challenges presented by the decades of poor funding provided by the FL Legislature and the manner in which the funding has been allocated. The theme has been doing more with less for a very long time and this agreement reflects that. We came to an agreement that maximized the dollars available.”

The teams worked to come to agreement exchanging proposals during three extended bargaining sessions.

 “The tentative agreement reached Monday represents another significant step forward for our teachers and paraprofessionals in terms of having highly competitive compensation compared to their peers around the state,” said Superintendent Cynthia Saunders. “I want to thank the bargaining teams that made this tentative agreement possible, and I am extremely proud of the hard work being done by our teachers and paraprofessionals in our classrooms each and every school day.”

PDF iconbargaining_110419.pdf


October 24, 2019 - The MEA and management bargaining teams met on a second session on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. 

Management countered MEA’s proposal by offering teachers 3 level movements for teachers rated highly effective and 2 levels for effective as well as a $300 COLA.  Their proposal for paras was 2 steps. 

MEA provided a proposal after considering management’s counter proposal which included 4 levels for teachers rated highly effective and 3 levels for teachers rated effective plus a $400 COLA.  MEA’s proposal for paras was 2 steps and a $0.15 per hour increase on the salary schedule. 

MEA and management are working toward scheduling a future bargaining date. 

PDF iconbargaining_102319.pdf


October 3, 2019 - The MEA and management bargaining teams met for an initial bargaining session on Thursday, October 3, 2019. 

After management presented information related to the district’s budget MEA spokesperson Bruce Proud asked questions related to the money received from the Legislature for this year’s budget including separating what money is available in the general fund versus what funding is categorical and mandated by law for specific purposes.

Management proposed a salary increase for teachers of three (3) levels for those who received a highly effective rating, two (2) levels for those who received an effective rating on the performance schedule and three (3) levels for teachers on the grandfathered schedule. Management proposed one (1) step increase for paraprofessionals. 

MEA proposed a salary increase for all eligible teachers of six (6) levels for those who received a highly effective rating, four (4) levels for those who received an effective rating on the performance schedule, six (6) levels for teachers on the grandfathered schedule and a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of $500 for all instructional bargaining unit employees. MEA proposed a three (3) step increase for all eligible paraprofessionals and a COLA of $250 for all paraprofessional bargaining unit employees.

The following are the bargaining team members:

For MEA - Bruce Proud, Pat Barber, Dawn Walker, Cory Bernaert (Freedom), Linda Bryan-Beachler (Freedom), Kara Carney (Rogers Garden Bullock), Helen King (Bayshore Elementary), Brian Kirchberg (Braden River HS), Melanie Newhall (Kinnan), and Rena Morano (Palmetto HS). 

For Management – Bill Vogel, Kate Barlaug (Haile), Willie Clark (SSC), Jacob Davis (SSC), James Horner (Abel), Heather Jenkins (SSC), John Reichert (SSC), Lesli Strickland (SSC), Tammy Taylor (SSC), David Underhill (Manatee HS), Doug Wagner (SSC) and Genelle Zoratti-Yost (SSC).

Bargaining is tentatively scheduled to resume on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

PDF iconbargaining_100319.pdf



2015-2016 New Hire Placement Schedules Memorandum of Understanding

April 11, 2016 - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the School District of Manatee County, Florida and the Manatee Education Association

2015-2016 New Hire Placement Schedules

The parties recognize discrepancies in the approved 2015-2016 Placement Chart on the Performance Salary Schedule in which, at some levels, teachers hired for the 2015-2016 school year were placed at a higher level than current teachers with the same experience.

In order to address this discrepancy, the parties agree to the placement Schedules, included herein, which correct this discrepancy upon execution of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Signed,

Pat Barber, President
Manatee Education Association

Dr. Bill Vogel, Chief Negotiator
School District of Manatee County

2015-2016 Memoranda of Understanding

August 21, 2015 - The MEA and the School District of Manatee County have signed a Perfect Attendance Incentive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the use of Sick/Personal Leave days for the 2015-2016 school year only.  The effective date of this MOU is Monday, August 24, 2015In addition, the MOU for the Modified Instructional Week has been extended.  Please read the MOUs carefully.

 

Negotiations for 2015-2016 which include salary and benefits will begin soon. 

MEA Secures 'Hold Harmless' Agreement with Manatee County School District

On January 30, 2015, MEA and the District signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the student growth portion of the Manatee County Teacher Evaluation System (MCTES).  Unless there are Legislative changes that mandate otherwise, the impact will be that for the next three years teachers will receive no less than 'effective' on the student growth portion of their evaluations.  To read the MOU in its entirety, click here

Notice of Ratification Voting

Voting will begin Monday, November 10, 2014 and will end at 4:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2014.

The ratification votes will take place by paper ballot.  Voting instructions, a ballot and a return envelope will be sent to each member of the teacher and paraprofessional bargaining units.  Click on the following links to read the respective tentative agreements:

Tentative Agreements for Paraprofessionals 2014-2015

Tentative Agreements for Teachers 2014-2015

Tentative Agreements Teacher Salary Schedules 2014-2015

Tentative agreements have been posted at schools.  In addition, teachers were emailed electronic copies of the tentative agreements.  Paraprofessionals will receive a paper copy of the tentative agreements on the paraprofessional contract.    

If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 747-5091 or via email at association@manateeschools.net

Manatee Education Association and the Manatee County School Board Reach Tentative Agreement

MEA and the School Board negotiation teams reached a tentative agreement at 12:48 a.m. on October 14, 2014. 

Teacher Contract Highlights

  • 2% investment in the teacher salary schedule.
  • Salary step increases for all eligible teachers.
  • A minimum $544 salary increase for eligible teachers.
  • Conversion of the current salary schedule to a Grandfathered and Performance Pay Salary Schedule to meet requirements of Florida Statute 1012.22 (AKA SB 736).
  • Changes to teacher health insurance plan to reduce insurance cost and an opportunity to earn a wellness incentive.
  • Board contribution of $1.6 million to health insurance premium increases.
  • Board contribution of $5.9 million contribution to the health insurance reserve fund.
  • Scheduling flexibility provided for Senior High Schools to benefit teachers and students.
  • Total cost of settlement is $5,725,186 which includes health insurance changes.
  • Salary increases will be retroactive to July 1, 2014.

Paraprofessional Contract Highlights

  • 2% investment in paraprofessional salary schedule.
  • A minimum $400 increase for eligible paraprofessionals.
  • Changes to paraprofessional health insurance plan to reduce insurance cost and an opportunity to earn a wellness incentive.
  • Board contribution of $1.6 million to health insurance premium increases.
  • Board contribution of $5.9 contribution to health insurance reserve fund.
  • Total cost of the settlement is $1,931,141 which includes health insurance changes.

Salary increases will be retroactive to July 1, 2014.

Agreements Reached

August 22, 2014

MEA and the School District of Manatee County have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the use of Sick/Personal Leave days for teachers during the 2014-2015 school year only. The effective date of this MOU will be Monday, August 25, 2014. Click here to read the MOU.

In addition, agreements were reached on the following:

  • in order to avoid a reduction in pay,  bargaining unit members who were at the top of the salary schedule and received a $1750 supplement in 2013-2014 school year will continue to receive this supplement for the 2014-2015 school year.
  • to extend the Memorandum of Understanding on the Modified Instructional Week for 2014-2015.

Negotiations for 2014-2015 which include salary and benefits are on-going.

Questions can be directed to Pat Barber (747-5091 or association@manateeschools.net) or Dr. Diana Greene (708-8770 or greened@manateeschools.net).

Results of Ratification Voting on Teacher and Para Contracts 2013-2014

It's official. The Teacher and Paraprofessional Contracts have been ratified by both bargaining units (teachers and paras) as well as the School Board.

At the School Board meeting held Monday, September 9, 2013, Mr. Mills announced that teachers and paras will receive their raises along with their retro pay in their October 25, 2013 paychecks.

For more detailed information on the tentative agreements or the salary schedules, please click on any one of the links below.

Teacher contract tentative agreements 2013-2014

2013-2014 Teacher Salary Schedule

Paraprofessional contract tentative agreements 2013-2014

2013-2014 Teacher Aides and Teacher Assistants Salary Schedules

2013-2014 Parent Liaison and Administrative Parent Liaison Salary Schedule

If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 747-5091 or via email at association@manateeschools.net

Tentative Agreements Reached on Teacher and Paraprofessional Contracts

Teacher Settlement Highlights

August 13, 2013 - Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County have collaboratively reached tentative agreement on the Teacher Contract for the 2012-13 and the 2013-14 school years.

  • This settlement restores 3 years of step movement to a salary schedule that was reduced by 1.75% and frozen in February 2012.
  • The funding for this settlement was designated by the Governor and the Legislature for the sole purpose of enhancing teacher pay.
  • Teachers eligible for a step were moved on the schedule. 
  • The salary schedule is enhanced to ensure that everyone eligible for a three-step increase receives a minimum of $1750.
  • Teachers at the top of the salary schedule will receive $1750 as a one-time stipend eligible for retirement benefits.
  • The settlement merges the Annual Contract and Professional Services Contract salary schedules into one salary schedule.
  • This settlement corrects the placement of teachers previously given credit for experience on the salary schedule at the time of hiring.
  • A maximum of 8 years public school experience will be accepted for placement on the salary schedule effective with teachers hired for the 2013-2014 school year.
  • The cost without benefits is $6,346,254.
  • The parties reached a 3 year agreement through June 30, 2016, with reopeners for salary and fringe benefits.
  • This settlement incorporates all 2012-13 tentative agreements agreed to by the parties.

The tentative agreement requires ratification by the members of the bargaining unit and the Manatee County School Board prior to being implemented.

Paraprofessional Settlement Highlights

August 13, 2013 - Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County have collaboratively reached tentative agreement on the Paraprofessional Contract for the 2012-13 and the 2013-14 school years.

  • In addition to saving 60 paraprofessional jobs, the Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County reached agreement to provide a $381 raise for every paraprofessional.
  • The parties reached a 3-year agreement through June 30, 2016, with reopeners for salary and fringe benefits.
  • This settlement incorporates all 2012-13 tentative agreements agreed to by the parties.

The tentative agreement requires ratification by the members of the bargaining unit and the Manatee County School Board prior to being implemented.